Scientific name: Pulmonaria spp. & cvs
Synonym:
Family: BORAGINACEAE
Common names: “lungwort” “Jerusalem sage” “Adam and Eve” “Bedlam cowslip” “beggar’s basket” “bugloss cowslip” “Jerusalem cowslip” “lady’s cowslip” “lady’s milk” “Mary’s honeysuckle” “Mary’s tears” “sage of Bethlehem” “soldiers and sailors” “spotted dog”
Plant Type: Evergreen perennial
Conditions:
Zone: 4-9
Light: Full shade – partial shade
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Fertile, humus rich
Moisture: Moist well drained, does not like wet feet
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 1′ W 2′
Leaf and Stem shape: Broad leaves spotted with greenish-white
Flower: Clusters of funnel-shaped flowers, pinks and blues
Pruning: Cut back hard after flowering, cut new leaves at the end of summer
Maintenance: Low
Landscape use: Used for ground-cover, works well with late herbaceous perennials
Propagate: By seed and division
Pests & Disease: Powdery mildew in dry conditions
*Deer resistant
♥Attracts hummingbirds
Comments: Traditionally used to treat respiratory problems
Cultivars: P. officinalis – handles more sun
P. ‘Sissinghurst White’ – clear white, light green foliage with soft silvery spots ~AGM
P. saccharata – flowers open pink then turn blue (Argenta Group ~AGM winner)
P. ‘Blue Ensign’ – unspotted, dark leaves, large blue-violet bells ~AGM winner
Other AGM winning varieties include : P. ‘Lewis Palmer’ , P. ‘Vera May’ , P. angustifolia , P. ‘Diana Clare’
